Joseph Kahn’s Ick is a wild, messy, and occasionally brilliant ride… a horror-comedy that’s as ambitious as it is uneven.
Set in a world where a parasitic, plant-like “Ick” has spread unchecked, the film follows Brandon Routh’s Hank, a washed-up science teacher, and Malina Weissman’s sharp-witted student Grace as they uncover the Ick’s true, terrifying potential.
The movie’s strengths lie in its visual flair and Routh’s charismatic performance. The Ick itself is a standout monster: grotesque, dynamic, and genuinely unsettling. The humor lands more often than not, and the nostalgia-baiting soundtrack and aesthetic will delight fans of early 2000s pop-punk.
But Ick stumbles in its execution. Kahn’s breakneck pacing leaves little room for character development or coherent world-building. The sociopolitical commentary feels tacked on, and the supporting cast is often reduced to caricatures. It’s a film that prioritizes style over substance, and while that style is undeniably fun, it’s not enough to mask the lack of depth.
Verdict: Ick is a 7/10 watchable, entertaining, and packed with energy, but ultimately more derivative than innovative. If you’re a fan of chaotic, nostalgia-drenched horror-comedies, you’ll find plenty to enjoy. Just don’t expect anything groundbreaking.
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